2018 World Cup Odds and Prediction: Iceland Team Betting Preview

However, they won’t be overlooked this time and a slew of injuries threaten their chances to make some noise in Russia.

2018 World Cup Iceland Betting Odds

Odds to Advance: +275 Yes To Advance, -400 No To Advance

Odds to Win World Cup: +20000 

0 World Cup Wins/Best World Cup finish: N/A

FIFA world ranking: 22

Manager: Heimir Hallgrimsson

Captain: Aron Gunnarsson

Iceland Players to Watch

Gylfi Sigurdsson is the player that pulls the strings for Iceland in terms of their attack. However, Sigurdsson hurt his knee playing for Everton late in the season. While he has been named to the team and will probably play, no one knows how healthy Sigurdsson is except Sigurdsson. That is going to be an issue for Iceland, who are also sweating the fitness of their captain, Aron Gunnarsson. Gunnarsson also dealt with a knee injury but is reportedly fine for the World Cup. Iceland needs these two guys healthy or it’ll be a quick three games for them.

Iceland World Cup Formation and Projected Starting 11

• Formation: 4-4-2
• Goalkeeper: Hannes Halldorsson
• Defense: Birkir Mar Saevarsson, Kari Arnason, Ragnar Sigurosson, Horour Orn Eyjolfsson
• Midfield: Johann Berg Guomundsson, Aron Gunnarson, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Birkir Bjarnason
• Forwards: Alreo Finnbogason, Jon Daoi Boovarsson

Iceland Strengths

Iceland is a team that have plenty of belief in themselves – especially after their run to the quarterfinals at the European Championships. That powered them to their first-ever appearance at the World Cup but this time, they won’t be an underdog. They thrived in that role at Euro. They are a well-disciplined team that knows their roles and always plays hard. That effort has to be the difference for them as they simply aren’t stocked with as much talent as many of the other teams.

Iceland Weaknesses

Outside of the aforementioned injured players, Iceland just does not have a lot of world-class talent. Sigurdsson is their best player and you could definitely argue that he is not a world-class player. Without Sigurdsson at his best, it is going to be an uphill climb for Iceland to move to the next round. Depth is an issue.

Iceland News

Injuries, injuries and injuries. A full-strength Iceland team would have been hard-pressed to get out of the group. While they say their two key players will be fit for the World Cup, they might not be 100%. That’s going to be a key storyline to monitor.

Iceland Betting Prediction

The best-case scenario for Iceland is that they get out of their group. However, they would need some help from the other teams. They are arguably in the Group of Death with Argentina, Croatia and Nigeria – three teams that are probably better than them.

Iceland is rated at +20000 to win the World Cup, which sounds about right. They’ll also need a heroic effort just to qualify for the Round of 16.

In terms of player props, Sigurdsson is valued at +15000 for the Golden Boot as top goal scorer and the Golden Ball as top player. That would be a risky pick to make, especially if he is not close to 100%.

Overall, this team was a good story at Euro 2016 and their recent success can only help their program. But in a group that many think is the World Cup’s most challenging, it will be tough for them to advance. To bet on the World Cup in Canada, check out these World Cup 2018 betting odds.